Apply for a permit to fell trees on a private lot

You need a tree-felling permit in order to:

• Cut down a tree whose trunk is 10 cm in diameter or more, measured 1.4 m from the ground, or 15 cm in diameter or more, measured 15 cm from the ground.
• Raise the ground level more than 20 cm beneath the branches of a tree.
• Cut 50 per cent or more of a tree’s branches.
• Cut 40 per cent or more of a tree’s roots.
• Do anything else that might affect a tree’s survival, such as putting a ring around the trunk, covering the base with impermeable material, etc.

To determine a tree’s diameter in cm, put a measuring tape around the trunk, then divide the result by 3.14.

Reasons for felling a tree

 You may be allowed to have the tree cut down for the reasons listed below. You must obtain the tree-felling permit before you proceed.

• The tree is dead
• It is decaying or affected by an irreversible disease
• It is causing significant damage to property
• It threatens people’s safety
• It might cause the spread of a disease or an invasive species
• It is in the way of a building project or construction site
• lt’s in the same location where a swimming pool will be built that cannot be built elsewhere on the property
• It impedes access to a driveway or front parking space that cannot be built elsewhere on the property

In the last three of these cases, before applying for a tree-felling permit, you should first apply for a permit to carry out the project itself.

Restrictions

The following reasons do not justify the felling of a tree:

• It is losing blossoms, leaves, sap or twigs.
• It produces pollen, provides shelter for animals or insects or provides shade.
• Its roots are visible.

You are not allowed to trim or fell a tree or cut down a shrub or plant grown by the city on public property. “Public property” in this case means the strip of land located between your property line and the curb or sidewalk. 

Permit validity

If felling has not begin within six months of the date on which the permit was issued, the permit is no longer valid and you must get a new one. 

Replacing a felled tree

You must replace a felled tree within six months of receiving your permit.
The new tree must have: 

• a trunk at least five cm in diameter, measured 1.4 m from the ground, and
• a total height of at least three metres.

Fee

$94 (taxes included)

Fight against the emerald ash borer
An application for a certificate of authorization to fell a tree on private property is free for ash trees.

You need a tree-felling permit in order to: 

• Cut down a tree whose trunk is 10 cm in diameter or more, measured 1.3 m from the ground.
• Raise the ground level more than 20 cm beneath the branches of a tree.
• Cut 50 per cent or more of a tree’s branches.

To determine a tree’s diameter in cm, put a measuring tape around the trunk, then divide the result by 3.14.

Reasons for felling a tree

 You may be allowed to have the tree cut down for the reasons listed below. You must obtain the tree-felling permit before you proceed.

• The tree is dead
• It is decaying or affected by an irreversible disease
• It is causing significant damage to property
• Its structure has become fragile and the problem cannot be fixed
• There is a risk it will cause a disease to spread
• It is in the way of a building project or construction site
• It gets in the way of building or installing a swimming pool
• It makes it difficult to create an entry or a parking space
• It makes it difficult to create an opening to provide access to a body of water

If you are planning to put up a building, install a swimming pool or create an entry or a parking space, before applying for a tree-felling permit, you should first apply for a permit to carry out the project itself.

Use brightly coloured string or ribbon to identify the trees you plan to fell. An inspector will come and assess their condition.

Restrictions

The following reasons do not justify the felling of a tree:

• It is losing blossoms, leaves, sap or twigs.
• It produces pollen, provides shelter for animals or insects or provides shade.
• Its roots are visible.

You are not allowed to cut down a tree, shrub or plant grown on public property. “Public property” in this case means the strip of land located between the curb or sidewalk and your property line.

Permit validity

If felling has not begin within six months of the date on which the permit was issued, the permit is no longer valid and you must get a new one. 

Replacing a felled tree

You must replace a felled tree within six months of receiving your permit.
The new tree must have a trunk at least five cm in diameter, measured 1.4 m from the ground.

You need a tree-felling permit in order to: 

• Cut down a tree whose trunk is 10 cm in diameter or more, measured 1.3 m from the ground, or more than 15 cm in diameter, measured 15 cm from the ground.
• Raise the ground level more than 20 cm beneath the branches of a tree.

To determine a tree’s diameter in cm, put a measuring tape around the trunk, then divide the result by 3.14.

 Reasons for felling a tree

You may be allowed to have the tree cut down for the reasons listed below. You must obtain the tree-felling permit before you proceed.

• The tree is dead
• It is decaying or affected by an irreversible disease
• It is causing significant damage to property
• It threatens people’s safety
• Its structure has become fragile and the problem cannot be fixed
• There is a risk it will cause a disease to spread
• It is in the way of a building project (other than an outbuilding) or construction site
• It gets in the way of building or installing a swimming pool
• It makes it difficult to create an entry or a parking space

In the last three of these cases, before applying for a tree-felling permit, you should first apply for a permit to carry out the project itself.

Use brightly coloured string or ribbon to identify the trees you plan to fell. An inspector will come and assess their condition.

Restrictions

The following reasons do not justify the felling of a tree:

• It is losing blossoms, leaves, sap or twigs.
• It produces pollen, provides shelter for animals or insects or provides shade.
• Its roots are visible.

You are not allowed to cut down a tree, shrub or plant grown on public property. “Public property” in this case means the strip of land located between the curb or sidewalk and your property line. located between your property line and the curb or sidewalk.

Permit validity

If felling has not begin within 12 months of the date on which the permit was issued, the permit is no longer valid and you must get a new one. 

Replacing a felled tree

You must replace a felled tree within 12 months of receiving the permit. A minimum of one tree per 100 m² of land that has not been built on is required in residential sectors, and a minimum of one tree per 200 m² in commercial or institutional sectors.

The new tree must have a trunk at least five cm in diameter, measured 1.5 m from the ground. 

Mount Royal heritage site

Do you live on the Mount Royal heritage site? If so, an additional authorization is required.

Fill out the form (in French) and add it to the other documents to be submitted.

Fee

$155 (non taxable)

You need a tree-felling permit in order to cut down a tree whose trunk is more than 10 cm in diameter, measured 1.3 m from the ground, except if your tree is: 

• A cedar (Latin name: Thuya)
• A juniper (Latin name: Juniperus)
• A buckthorn (Latin name: Rhamnus) 

These three species can be felled without a permit whatever the trunks’ diameter.

As an example, to determine a tree’s diameter in cm, put a measuring tape around the trunk, then divide the result by 3.14.

Steps

Apply for a permit on line or go to the permit counter.

A borough employee will then come to inspect your tree.

Important note: If you cut down one or more trees without a permit, the amount of the fine is $600 and may be as much as $15,000, depending on the number of trees felled and the cleared area. 

Reasons for felling a tree

You may be allowed to have the tree cut down for the reasons listed below. You must obtain the tree-felling permit before you proceed.

• The tree is dead
• It is decaying or affected by an irreversible disease
• It is causing significant damage to property
• It threatens people’s safety
• It is located near or in a construction zone

In this last case, before applying for a tree-felling permit, you should first apply for a permit to carry out the construction itself.

Restrictions

The following reasons do not justify the felling of a tree:

• It is losing blossoms, leaves, sap or twigs.
• It produces pollen, provides shelter for animals or insects or provides shade.
• Its roots are visible.

You may not cut down a tree, shrub or plant grown on public property. “Public property” in this case means the strip of land located between the curb or sidewalk and your property line.

Permit expiration

The felling permit does not expire.

Replacing a felled tree

Within six months of receiving your permit, you must replace a felled tree with a tree that is not: 

• an ash tree
• a poplar
• a willow
• a silver maple
• an American elm

Replacing a felled tree with a deciduous tree

The new tree must be:
• at least five cm in diameter as measured 15 cm from the ground,
• at least two metres high as measured from the ground.

Replacing a felled tree with a coniferous tree

The new tree must be at least 1.75 m high.

You need a tree-felling permit for any tree that you want to fell, whether it is in your front yard, side yard or back yard.

Reasons for felling a tree

 You may be allowed to have the tree cut down for the reasons listed below. You must obtain the tree-felling permit before you proceed.

• The tree is dead
• Half or more of its branches are dead
• It is decaying or affected by an irreversible disease
• It is causing significant damage to property
• It threatens people’s health or safety
• Its structure has become fragile and the problem cannot be fixed
• There is a risk it will cause a disease to spread
• It is in the way of a building project or construction site
• It gets in the way of building or installing a swimming pool
• It makes it difficult to create an entry or a parking space in the front yard
• It makes it difficult to create an opening to provide access to a body of water

If you are planning to put up a building, install a swimming pool or create an entry or a parking space, before applying for a tree-felling permit, you should first apply for a permit to carry out the project itself.

Restrictions

The following reasons do not justify the felling of a tree:

• It is losing blossoms, leaves, sap or twigs.
• It produces pollen, provides shelter for animals or insects or provides shade.
• Its roots are visible.

You are not allowed to fell a tree or cut down a shrub or plant grown on public property. “Public property” in this case means the strip of land located between your property line and the curb or sidewalk.

Permit validity

If felling has not begin within 12 months of the date on which the permit was issued, the permit is no longer valid and you must get a new one. 

Replacing a felled tree

You must replace a felled tree within a year of receiving your authorization certificate if it the tree was cut down:

• Because it was located three to five metres from a future construction zone
• To avoid the spread of a disease or an invasive exotic species

The new tree must be at least 1.5 m high at the time it is planted.

Fee

$75 (non taxable)

You need a tree-felling permit in order to:

• Cut down a tree whose trunk is 10 cm in diameter or more, measured at 1.3 m from the ground.
• Raise the ground level more than 20 cm beneath the branches of a tree.

To determine a tree’s diameter in cm, put a measuring tape around the trunk, then divide the result by 3.14.  

Reasons for felling a tree

You may be allowed to have the tree cut down for the reasons listed below. You must obtain the tree-felling permit before you proceed.

• It is dead
• It is decaying or affected by an irreversible disease
• It is causing significant damage to property
• Its structure has become fragile and the problem cannot be fixed
• It might cause the spread of a disease
• It is in the way of a building project or construction site

In the last of these cases, before applying for a tree-felling permit, you should first apply for a permit to carry out the project itself.

Restrictions

The following reasons do not justify the felling of a tree:

• It is losing blossoms, leaves, sap or twigs.
• It produces pollen, provides shelter for animals or insects or provides shade.
• Its roots are visible.

You may not cut down a tree, shrub or plant grown on public property. “Public property” in this case means the strip of land located between the curb or sidewalk and your property line.

If felling has not begin within six months of the date on which the permit was issued, the permit is no longer valid and you must get a new one. 

Replacing a felled tree

You must replace each felled tree within a year of receiving your permit.

The new tree must have a trunk at least five cm in diameter measured 1.8 m from the ground, and must not belong to an invasive species.

Mount Royal heritage site

Do you live on the Mount Royal heritage site? If so, an additional authorization is required.

Fill out the form (in French) and add it to the other documents to be submitted.

Fee

$130 (taxes included)

You need a tree-felling permit in order to:

• Cut down a tree whose trunk is more than 8 cm in diameter, measured 1.5 m from the ground.
• Raise the ground level more than 20 cm beneath the branches of a tree.
• Remove 40 per cent or more of a tree’s living branches.
• Cut 50 per cent or more of a tree’s roots.

To determine a tree’s diameter in cm, put a measuring tape around the trunk, then divide the result by 3.14.

Reasons for felling a tree

You may be allowed to have the tree cut down for the reasons listed below. You must obtain the tree-felling permit before you proceed.

• The tree is dead
• Half or more of its branches are dead
• It is decaying or affected by an irreversible disease
• It is causing significant damage to property
• It is preventing the growth of more valuable trees
• It threatens people’s health or safety
• Its structure has become fragile and the problem cannot be fixed
• There is a risk it will cause a disease to spread
• It is in the way of a building project or construction site
• It gets in the way of building or installing a swimming pool
• It makes it difficult to create an entry or a parking space

In the last three of these cases, before applying for a tree-felling permit, you should first apply for a permit to carry out the project itself.

Restrictions

The following reasons do not justify the felling of a tree:

• It is losing blossoms, leaves, sap or twigs.
• It produces pollen, provides shelter for animals or insects or provides shade.
• Its roots are visible.

You are not allowed to fell a tree or cut down a shrub or plant grown on public property. “Public property” in this case means the strip of land located between your property line and the curb or sidewalk.

Permit validity

If felling has not begin within 6 months of the date on which the permit was issued, the certificate is no longer valid and you must get a new one. 

Replacing a felled tree

You must replace a felled tree within six months of receiving your permit.

The new tree must have a trunk at least five cm in diameter, measured 1.5 m from the ground.

Fee

$109 per tree (non taxable, non refundable)

You need a tree-felling permit in order to cut down a tree whose trunk is 10 cm in diameter or more, measured 1.3 m from the ground.

To determine a tree’s diameter in cm, put a measuring tape around the trunk, then divide the result by 3.14.

Reasons for felling a tree

You may be allowed to have the tree cut down for the reasons listed below. You must obtain the tree-felling permit before you proceed.

• The tree is dead
• Half or more of its branches are dead
• It is decaying or affected by an irreversible disease
• It is causing significant damage to property
• It is preventing the growth of more valuable trees
• It threatens people’s health or safety
• Its structure has become fragile and the problem cannot be fixed
• There is a risk it will cause a disease to spread
• It is in the way of a building project or construction site
• It gets in the way of building or installing a swimming pool
• It makes it difficult to create an entry or a parking space

In the last three of these cases, before applying for a tree-felling permit, you should first apply for a permit to carry out the project itself.

Use brightly coloured string or ribbon to identify the trees you plan to fell. An inspector will come and assess their condition.

Restrictions

The following reasons do not justify the felling of a tree:

• It is losing blossoms, leaves, sap or twigs.
• It produces pollen, provides shelter for animals or insects or provides shade.
• Its roots are visible.

You are not allowed to fell a tree or cut down a shrub or plant grown on public property. “Public property” in this case means the strip of land located between your property line and the curb or sidewalk.

Neighbours’ trees

If your neighbours’ trees are bothering you, speak with them about it. If you are unable to come to an agreement, you can consult Québec’s Civil Code.

Permit validity  

Permits are valid for 12 months. If felling has not begun within three months or has not ended within 12 months of the date on which the permit was issued, or was interrupted for six months, the permit is no longer valid and you must get a new one.

Replacing a felled tree

You must replace a felled tree within six months of cutting it down.

The new tree must have a trunk at least five cm in diameter, measured 30 cm from the ground.

Fee

$50 per tree (non taxable)

You need a tree-felling permit in order to:

• Cut down a tree whose trunk is 10 cm in diameter or more, measured 1.3 m from the ground.
• Raise the ground level more than 20 cm beneath the branches of a tree.
• Cut 50 per cent or more of a tree’s roots.

Reasons for felling a tree

You may be allowed to have the tree cut down for the reasons listed below. You must obtain the tree-felling permit before you proceed.

• The tree is dead
• Half or more of its branches are dead
• It is decaying or affected by an irreversible disease
• It is causing significant damage to property
• It is preventing the growth of more valuable trees
• It threatens people’s health or safety
• Its structure has become fragile and the problem cannot be fixed
• There is a risk it will cause a disease to spread
• It is in the way of a building project or construction site
• It gets in the way of building or installing a swimming pool
• It makes it difficult to create an entry or a parking space

In the last three of these cases, before applying for a tree-felling permit, you should first apply for a permit to carry out the project itself.

Use brightly coloured string or ribbon to identify the trees you plan to fell. An inspector will come and assess their condition.

Restrictions

The following reasons do not justify the felling of a tree:

• It is losing blossoms, leaves, sap or twigs.
• It produces pollen, provides shelter for animals or insects or provides shade.
• Its roots are visible.

You may not cut down a tree, shrub or plant grown on public property. “Public property” in this case means the strip of land located between the curb or sidewalk and your property line.

Permit validity

If felling has not begin within six months of the date on which the permit was issued, the permit is no longer valid and you must get a new one. 

Replacing a felled tree

You do not have to replace a felled tree if your property already has one tree per 200 m2 of undeveloped land, except in these two cases:

• The tree was felled because it was located three to five metres from a retaining wall or a future construction area.
• The tree was felled because it was irreversibly damaged by disease or an insect pest.

In these cases, you must replace the felled tree within six months of cutting it down.

The new tree must have a trunk at least five cm in diameter, measured 1.5 m from the ground.

Fee

$61,20 (non taxable)

You must get a felling permit in order to cut down a tree with a trunk that is wider than 5 cm in diameter, measured at a height of 15 cm from the ground.

To determine a tree’s diameter in cm, put a measuring tape around the trunk, then divide the result by 3.14.

Reasons for felling a tree

You may be allowed to have the tree cut down for the reasons listed below. You must obtain the tree-felling permit before you proceed.

• It is dead
• It is decaying or affected by an irreversible disease
• It is causing significant damage to property
• It threatens people’s health or safety
• Its structure has become fragile and the problem cannot be fixed
• There is a risk it will cause a disease to spread
• It is in the way of a building project or construction site
• It gets in the way of building or installing a swimming pool
• It makes it difficult to create an entry or a parking space

In the last three of these cases, before applying for a tree-felling permit, you should first apply for a permit to carry out the project itself.

Restrictions

The following reasons do not justify the felling of a tree:

• It is losing blossoms, leaves, sap or twigs.
• It produces pollen, provides shelter for animals or insects or provides shade.
• Its roots are visible.

You may not cut down a tree, shrub or plant grown on public property. “Public property” in this case means the strip of land located between the curb or sidewalk and your property line.

Permit validity

If felling has not begin within three months of the date on which the permit was issued, the permit is no longer valid and you must get a new one. 

Replacing a felled tree

If you fell a tree, you must replace it with a new tree within six months of receiving your permit.

The new tree must be at least 1.3 m high and have a trunk at least five cm in diameter, measured 15 cm from the ground.

It must be located more than 1.5 m from the street line and from any fire hydrant, and at least three metres from any stop sign.

Fee

$96 per tree (taxes included)

You need a tree-felling permit in order to cut down a tree whose trunk is more than 10 cm in diameter, measured 1.3 m from the ground.

To determine a tree’s diameter in cm, put a measuring tape around the trunk, then divide the result by 3.14.

Reasons for felling a tree

You may be allowed to have the tree cut down for the reasons listed below. You must obtain the tree-felling permit before you proceed.

• It is dead
• Half or more of its branches are dead
• It is decaying or affected by an irreversible disease
• It is causing significant damage to property
• It is preventing the growth of more valuable trees
• It threatens people’s health or safety
• Its structure has become fragile and the problem cannot be fixed
• There is a risk it will cause a disease to spread
• It is in the way of a building project or construction site
• It gets in the way of building or installing a swimming pool
• It makes it difficult to create an entry or a parking space

If you are planning to put up a building, install a swimming pool or create an entry or a parking space, before applying for a tree-felling permit, you should first apply for a permit to carry out the project itself.

Use brightly coloured string or ribbon to identify the trees you plan to fell. An inspector will come and assess their condition.

Restrictions

The following reasons do not justify the felling of a tree:

• It is losing blossoms, leaves, sap or twigs.
• It produces pollen, provides shelter for animals or insects or provides shade.
• Its roots are visible.

You may not trim or cut down a tree grown on public property. “Public property” in this case means the strip of land located between the curb or sidewalk and your property line.

Replacing a felled tree

You must replace a felled tree:

• if it was located three to five metres from a future construction area, or
• if there was a risk it might cause a disease or an invasive exotic species to spread.

The new tree must have a trunk at least five cm in diameter, measured 1.3 m from the ground.

Mount Royal historic site

Do you live on the Mount Royal historic site? If so, an additional authorization is required.

Fill out the form (in French) and add it to the other documents to be submitted.

Processing time and permit expiry date

The permit is valid for three months.

Be aware that it may take up to 10 working days to process your application.

Taxes not included

You need a tree-felling permit in order to: 

• Cut down a tree whose trunk is 10 cm in diameter or more, measured 1.3 m from the ground, or 15 cm or more, measured 15 cm from the ground.
• Raise the ground level more than 20 cm beneath the branches of a tree.
• Cut 50 per cent or more of a tree’s branches.

To determine a tree’s diameter in cm, put a measuring tape around the trunk, then divide the result by 3.14.

Reasons for felling a tree

You may be allowed to have the tree cut down for the reasons listed below. You must obtain the tree-felling permit before you proceed.

• The tree is dead
• Half or more of its branches are dead
• It is decaying or affected by an irreversible disease
• It is causing significant damage to property
• It is preventing the growth of more valuable trees
• It threatens people’s health or safety
• Its structure has become fragile and the problem cannot be fixed
• There is a risk it will cause a disease to spread
• It is in the way of a building project or construction site
• It gets in the way of building or installing a swimming pool
• It makes it difficult to create an entry or a parking space
• It makes it difficult to create an opening to provide access to a body of water

If you are planning to put up a building, install a swimming pool or create an entry or a parking space, before applying for a tree-felling permit, you should first apply for a permit to carry out the project itself.

Restrictions

The following reasons do not justify the felling of a tree:

• It is losing blossoms, leaves, sap or twigs.
• It produces pollen, provides shelter for animals or insects or provides shade.
• Its roots are visible.

Neighbours’ trees

If your neighbours’ trees are bothering you, speak with them about it. If you are unable to come to an agreement, you can consult Québec’s Civil Code.

Processing time and certificate expiry date

The authorization certificate is valid for six months.
Be aware that it may take up 4 weeks to process your application.

Replacing a felled tree

You must replace a felled tree within six months of receiving your authorization certificate if it the tree was cut down:

• to prevent the spread of an illness or an invasive exotic species, or
• to redesign your yard.

In this last case, the tree you cut down must be replaced by at least two new trees.

If a new tree is deciduous, it must have a trunk at least five cm in diameter, measured 25 cm from the ground. If it is coniferous, it must be at least two metres high.

Fee

$55 (taxes included, amount non refundable)

You need a tree-felling permit in order to cut down a tree whose trunk is 10 cm in diameter or more, measured 1.3 m from the ground.

To determine a tree’s diameter in cm, put a measuring tape around the trunk, then divide the result by 3.14.

Reasons for felling a tree

You may be allowed to have the tree cut down for the reasons listed below. You must obtain the tree-felling permit before you proceed.

• The tree is dead
• It is decaying or affected by an irreversible disease
• It is causing significant damage to property
• It is preventing the growth of more valuable trees
• It might cause the spread of a disease or an invasive species
• It is in the way of a building project or construction site
• It is in the way of building or installing a swimming pool
• It makes it difficult to create an entry or a parking space in a front yard
• It makes it difficult to create an opening to provide access to a body of water

If you are planning to put up a building, install a swimming pool or create an entry or a parking space, before applying for a tree-felling permit, you should first apply for a permit to carry out the project itself.

Restrictions

The following reasons do not justify the felling of a tree:

• It is losing blossoms, leaves, sap or twigs.
• It produces pollen, provides shelter for animals or insects or provides shade.
• Its roots are visible.

You may not cut down a tree on public property. “Public property” in this case means the strip of land located between the curb or sidewalk and your property line.

Permit validity

If felling has not begin within six months of the date on which the permit was issued, the permit is no longer valid and you must get a new one.

Fee

$51 per property (non taxable)

You need a tree-felling permit in order to:

• Cut down a tree whose trunk is 10 cm in diameter or more, measured 1.3 m from the ground.
• Raise the ground level more than 20 cm beneath the branches of a tree.

To determine a tree’s diameter in cm, put a measuring tape around the trunk, then divide the result by 3.14.

Reasons for felling a tree

You may be allowed to have the tree cut down for the reasons listed below. You must obtain the tree-felling permit before you proceed.

• The tree is dead
• It is decaying or affected by an irreversible disease
• It is causing significant damage to property
• It is preventing the growth of more valuable trees
• It threatens people’s health or safety
• Its structure has become fragile and the problem cannot be fixed
• There is a risk it will cause a disease to spread
• It is in the way of a building project or construction site
• It gets in the way of building or installing a swimming pool
• It makes it difficult to create an entry or a parking space

In the last three of these cases, before applying for a tree-felling permit, you should first apply for a permit to carry out the project itself.

Restrictions

The following reasons do not justify the felling of a tree:

• It is losing blossoms, leaves, sap or twigs.
• It produces pollen, provides shelter for animals or insects or provides shade.
• Its roots are visible.

You may not cut down a tree on public property. “Public property” in this case means the strip of land located between the curb or sidewalk and your property line.

Replacing a felled tree

Replacing an ash tree

You may not plant a new ash tree.

Replacing other tree species

Before planting a new tree, find out about varieties most likely to thrive in zone 5, the size of the full-grown tree, and its resistance to urban conditions. Call 311 for information.

Fee

$145 per tree (taxes not included)

You need a tree-felling permit in order to cut down a tree whose trunk is more than 5 cm in diameter, measured 15 cm from the ground.

To determine a tree’s diameter in cm, put a measuring tape around the trunk, then divide the result by 3.14.

The permit is free. However, it will be granted only after your application has been analyzed and the tree has been inspected by an employee with specialized arboricultural knowledge.

Reasons for felling a tree

You may be allowed to have the tree cut down for the reasons listed below. You must obtain the tree-felling permit before you proceed.

• The tree is dead
• It is decaying or affected by an irreversible disease
• It is causing significant damage to property
• It threatens people’s health or safety
• It is in the way of a building project or construction site
• It gets in the way of building or installing a swimming pool
• It makes it difficult to create an entry or a parking space

In the last three of these cases, before applying for a tree-felling permit, you should first apply for a permit to carry out the project itself.

Restrictions

The following reasons do not justify the felling of a tree:

• It is losing blossoms, leaves, sap or twigs.
• It produces pollen, provides shelter for animals or insects or provides shade.
• Its roots are visible.

You may not cut down a tree, shrub or plant grown on public property. “Public property” in this case means the strip of land located between the curb or sidewalk and your property line.

Permit validity

If felling has not begin within 60 days of the date on which the permit was issued, the permit is no longer valid and you must get a new one. 

Replacing a felled tree

If you fell a tree, you must replace it with a new tree within six months of receiving your permit.

When you receive the permit, our agents will tell you about the characteristics that replacement trees must have.

You need a tree-felling permit in order to:

• Cut down a tree whose trunk is 10 cm in diameter or more, measured 1.3 m from the ground.
• Cut down a tree in your front yard or on an undeveloped private lot.

To determine a tree’s diameter in cm, put a measuring tape around the trunk, then divide the result by 3.14. 

Steps

1. Before applying for a permit to fell a tree, contact the Accès Montréal office or 311. 

2. An agent will come to inspect the tree. He or she will check to be sure the tree needs to be felled. 

3. If the agent confirms that the tree needs to be felled, you can apply for a permit online or at the permit counter.  

Reasons for felling a tree

You may be allowed to have the tree cut down for the reasons listed below. You must obtain the tree-felling permit before you proceed.

• The tree is dead
• It is decaying or affected by an irreversible disease
• It is causing significant damage to property
• It is located on the site of a future building, or within three metres of it

In the last of these cases, before applying for a tree-felling permit, you should first apply for a permit to carry out the project itself.

Restrictions

The following reasons do not justify the felling of a tree:

• It is losing blossoms, leaves, sap or twigs.
• It produces pollen, provides shelter for animals or insects or provides shade.
• Its roots are visible.

You may not cut down a tree or shrub on public property. “Public property” in this case means the strip of land located between the curb or sidewalk and your property line.

Permit validity

If felling has not begin within six months of the date on which the permit was issued, the permit is no longer valid and you must get a new one.

Fee

$80 per tree (taxes included)

You need a tree-felling permit in order to cut down any tree, regardless of the diameter of its trunk.

Reasons for felling a tree

You may be allowed to have the tree cut down for the reasons listed below. You must obtain the tree-felling permit before you proceed.

• The tree is dead
• It is decaying or affected by an irreversible disease
• It is causing significant damage to property
• It threatens people’s health or safety
• Its structure has become fragile and the problem cannot be fixed
• There is a risk it will cause a disease to spread
• It is in the way of a building project or construction site
• It gets in the way of building or installing a swimming pool
• It makes it difficult to create an entry or a parking space
• It makes it difficult to create an opening to provide access to a body of water

If you are planning to put up a building, install a swimming pool or create an entry or a parking space, before applying for a tree-felling permit, you should first apply for a permit to carry out the project itself.

Restrictions

The following reasons do not justify the felling of a tree:

• It is losing blossoms, leaves, sap or twigs.
• It produces pollen, provides shelter for animals or insects or provides shade.
• Its roots are visible.

You may not cut down a tree, shrub or plant grown on public property. “Public property” in this case means the strip of land located between the curb or sidewalk and your property line.

Permit validity

If felling has not begin within 12 months of the date on which the permit was issued, the permit is no longer valid and you must get a new one. However, you may renew it for another six months before it expires.

Replacing a felled tree

If you fell a tree, you must replace it with a new tree within 12 months of receiving your permit.

The new tree must have a trunk at least six cm in diameter, measured 30 cm from the ground.

Fee

$92 per tree (taxes included)

You need a tree-felling permit in order to:

• Cut down a tree whose trunk is 10 cm in diameter or more, measured 1.3 m from the ground.
• Raise the ground level more than 20 cm beneath the branches of a tree.

To determine a tree’s diameter in cm, put a measuring tape around the trunk, then divide the result by 3.14.

Reasons for felling a tree

You may be allowed to have the tree cut down for the reasons listed below. You must obtain the tree-felling permit before you proceed.

• The tree is dead
• Half or more of its branches are dead
• It is decaying or affected by an irreversible disease
• It is causing significant damage to property
• It is preventing the growth of more valuable trees
• It threatens people’s health or safety
• Its structure has become fragile and the problem cannot be fixed
• There is a risk it will cause a disease to spread
• It is in the way of a building project (other than an outbuilding) or a construction site
• It gets in the way of building or installing a swimming pool
• It makes it difficult to create an entry or a parking space

In the last three of these cases, before applying for a tree-felling permit, you should first apply for a permit to carry out the project itself.

Restrictions

The following reasons do not justify the felling of a tree:

• It is losing blossoms, leaves, sap or twigs.
• It produces pollen, provides shelter for animals or insects or provides shade.
• Its roots are visible.

You may not cut down a tree, shrub or plant grown on public property. “Public property” in this case means the strip of land located between the curb or sidewalk and your property line.

Permit validity

If felling has not begin within six months of the date on which the permit was issued, the permit is no longer valid and you must get a new one. 

Replacing a felled tree

You must replace a felled tree within a year of receiving an permit, unless your property already has at least one tree per 200 m2 of undeveloped land.

The new tree must be:

• at least five cm in diameter
• at least two metres high

Mount Royal historic site

Do you live on the Mount Royal historic site? If so, an additional authorization is required.

Fill out the form (in French) and add it to the other documents to be submitted.

Fee

$75 (non taxable)

You need a tree-felling permit in order to:

• Cut down a tree whose trunk is more than 10 cm in diameter, measured 1.3 m from the ground, or more than 15 cm in diameter, measured 15 cm from the ground.
• Raise the ground level more than 20 cm beneath the branches of a tree.
• Remove 50 per cent or more of a tree’s living branches.
• Cut 40 per cent or more of a tree’s roots.

To determine a tree’s diameter in cm, put a measuring tape around the trunk, then divide the result by 3.14.

Reasons for felling a tree

You may be allowed to have the tree cut down for the reasons listed below. You must obtain the tree-felling permit before you proceed.

• The tree is dead.
• Half or more of its branches are dead.
• It is decaying or affected by an irreversible disease.
• It is causing significant damage to property.
• Its structure has become fragile and the problem cannot be fixed.
• It might cause the spread of a disease.
• It is in the way of a building project or construction site.
• It is in the way of building or installing a swimming pool.
• It makes it difficult to create an entry or a parking space – but only if there is no other place on the property for this entry or parking space.

In the last three of these cases, before applying for a tree-felling permit, you should first apply for a permit to carry out the project itself.

Restrictions

The following reasons do not justify the felling of a tree:

• It is losing blossoms, leaves, sap or twigs.
• It produces pollen, provides shelter for animals or insects or provides shade.
• Its roots are visible.

You may not cut down a tree, shrub or plant grown on public property. “Public property” in this case means the strip of land located between the curb or sidewalk and your property line.

Permit expiration

The felling permit does not expire.

Replacing a felled tree

You must replace a felled tree:

• if it was located three to five metres from the construction area of a planned building or retaining wall, or
• if there was a risk it might cause a disease to spread or if it belonged to an invasive species.

Rates depend on land use. Taxes are included.

Please note that the amount paid to have an application considered will not be reimbursed if the permit is not granted or if the application is withdrawn.